Daniele De Rossi, Kostas Manolas own goals doom Roma at Barcelona

Roma compounded their mistakes at the back with two own goals as Barcelona took a 4-1 first-leg lead at the Camp Nou.

ESPN’s Gemma Soler explains how Barcelona were able to find a way against Roma despite the likes of Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets not being at their best.

AS Roma head coach Eusebio Di Francesco, his counterpart Ernesto Valverde and Barcelona players Ivan Rakitic and Diego Perotti comment on the Spanish giants’ 4-1 victory in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Nou Camp.

The final score flattered Barcelona in the end. The FC panel break down how big of a concern are Barcelona’s underwhelming performances in the Champions League.

Roma’s European dream came to an end at the hands of a Barcelona team that is so clinical it doesn’t even need its own players to shoot to score four times and sink a tie in the first leg. Two deeply unfortunate own goals either side of half-time from Daniele De Rossi and Kostas Manolas put the spirited Giallorossi on the precipice and when Gerard Pique tapped home the third Roma were left with one foot out of the competition.

Eusebio Di Francesco’s side didn’t let their heads drop despite their bad luck, and after Marc-Andre ter Stegen made a superb save on Gregoire Defrel, Edin Dzeko pulled one back with 10 minutes left. Roma had their tails up and Barca on the back foot, but a clumsy first touch from substitute Maxime Gonalons allowed Luis Suarez to end his Champions League drought and put the away side back in the bin.

As well as the two own goals — one a pinpoint sliding strike from captain De Rossi seven minutes before the break and the other, 10 minutes after half-time, a bizarre effort from Manolas that saw him first hit the post and then knee the ball over the line — Roma can also count themselves unlucky to not have been given a first-half penalty for what looked like a clear trip on Dzeko as he closed in on goal. But no matter — Barca weren’t three goals better on the night, but they are better, and save for a miracle at the Stadio Olimpico they are in semifinals.

Positives

Going three goals down would be enough to completely flatten even the best sides but Roma kept at it and were unlucky to not pull one back before Dzeko finally got the Giallorossi the goal they deserved. Ter Stegen also did well to keep out Defrel’s effort and a superb curling strike from Diego Perotti.

Negatives

What can be said about a performance at the Camp Nou that surprised everyone for its enthusiasm and application but left Roma three goals down halfway through the tie? This is not a vintage Barca team despite their record this season and Roma did their best to press and harry their opponents. When you’re score two ludicrous own goals and give away a fourth as daft as Roma did tonight, what’s the point?

Manager rating

6 — Di Francesco set his team up to pressure Barca rather than sit back, and did it without Radja Nainggolan crashing about in midfield. His attacking substitutions almost paid off despite the unflattering final scoreline.

Roma compounded their mistakes at the back with two own goals as Barcelona took a 4-1 first-leg lead at the Camp Nou.
ESPN's Gemma Soler explains how Barcelona were able to find a way against Roma despite the likes of Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets not being at...